Shrub

A shrub is a plant woody plant that is usually less than 8 metres tall. Unlike a tree, shrubs are multi-stemmed and vary greatly in size; some shrubs are less than 2 metres tall (e.g. rose bushes), while others are between 6 and 8 metres tall (e.g. hedgerows). leaf evergreen as Leylandii ).

Types of shrubs

Like trees, the variation in height of shrubs is attributed to the environments for which they are adapted and grow. One method of classifying different types of shrubs is based on structural features, height and foliage cover.

Small shrubs

Small shrubs are usually less than 2 metres in height and can be classified according to their foliage (see photo below).

Medium to large shrubs

Medium to large shrubs are typically between 2 and 8 metres in height and, similar to small shrubs, can be classified according to foliage (shown below).

• Dense foliage: Large shrubs with dense foliage have a foliage cover of 70% to 100% and are called closed shrubs.
• Medium density foliage: These are shrubs with only 30% to 70% canopy cover and are called open shrubs.
• Sparse foliage: These shrubs are characterised by only 10% to 30% foliage cover and are found in tall thickets, such as those found in Australia.
• Very sparse foliage: Shrubs with less than 10% foliage cover are found in tall, open thickets. These shrubs are typically found in desert climates.